Florida Love bug season

[cwf]

It was interesting as a motorcyclist during "love bug season"... You can tell a happy motorcyclist by the number of bugs in their teeth. But they do taste awful... So, bandannas, goggles, long sleeve or jacket... And old Bell helmet with curved face while...

We learned long ago about damp dryer sheet and a drop of "Ivory" dish soap... Removes with gentle effort.

But the stuff jammed into various motorcycle controls, contaminating the front "shock tubes" was a chore... But it must be done. And hoooeeee, the smell of them baking on the hot cylinder fins and exhaust made you want a bigger fuel tank so you can ride further before having to stop...

So, yes, the acid from thir last yeehawwww eats aluminum ... Like the stuff in radiators.. And oil coolers. Clean around windshield areas too.

One thing we did was use "Saran wrap" around front of hood and bumper... The grille... Well we didn't want to overheat, so we just hit the condenser and radiator with a LOT of pressure washer soap and rinse... Repeat. . Of course you got folks who laughed and pointed...

Sure.. A "car wash" Takes most off the exterior... But not not the vitals under the hood

Now, today we have a better solution... http://www.rustoleum.com/product-cat...coat/peel-coat

[switz]

The other alternative is to not be in those areas during the "mating season".

[xrvr]

Just starting around Gainesville, n central Florida.

[3wd67rg]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Normally harmless insects that are permanently joined at the hip to breed. They don't sting, bite, or suck blood. All they do is buzz around making whoopee until death do them part on the front end of your vehicle.

Oh yeah, we get those in the Anza Borrego Desert. Thankyou Protagonist!

[63air]

If they are starting in Gainesville it's probably only going to get worse , so it looks like it is a road trip on Rt. 66.

[lewster]

Just drove up the west coast of FL to I-10 and then to Mobile before heading northwest to Tulsa.

Had far fewer love bug hits than expected. Pleasantly surprised!!!!!

Lew Farber
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[SeaLevel]

We ran into some last Sunday while leaving Lake Kissimmee State Park. We were headed east on SR 60. As soon as we turned south on 441 we didn't see any more. Had to wash off the front of the trailer and the truck when we got home, but that didn't take long. I suspect we might see them again at the end of the month when we head across the state to Lake Manatee State Park.

[Jaxon]

They're here, too in Rockport, TX... Heavy! Driving on the highway sounds like a rainstorm with them hitting the windshield... Twice this week to the car wash to clean off the cadavers... They'll be around (though not as thick), for another week or so...

Wish they'd go "love" somewhere else...

[Rich W]

I used to live in Gainesville and Lakeland Florida. I was always told to drive at 45 or less and the love bugs wouldn't impact, just slide off. As I recall it seemed to work, but I don't know about going 45 on the Interstate, maybe the old highways.